A council spokeswoman said the council planned to investigate how to develop a register of development consents issued with a trial period or temporary approval.

But it was not practical to develop a register of expired development applications at this time, she said.

She said the public could already request access to development application documentation held by the council by submitting an application under the Government Information (Public Access) Act 2009, or via "Application Tracking" on the council's website.

The Sun was told the maximum time limit to start works after development consent is five years under the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act 1979 — and three years within the Holroyd local government area.

"Under this act, local government authorities are not able to impose a time limit to complete works if 'physical works' (as defined by case law) associated with the consent have been commenced prior to expiry," the council spokeswoman said.

Cr Brodie said this was worrying.

"Building codes will change and what would have been a reasonable development at the time may in fact not comply when building is pursued again," he said.